Billionaire Marc Rowan Donates $1.5 Million to AIPAC Super PAC

AI-summarized · Neutrality-checked

Apollo Global Management CEO Marc Rowan donated $1.5 million to the United Democracy Project (UDP), a super PAC affiliated with the American Israel Public Affairs Committee (AIPAC), during 2024. This contribution followed his January appointment to Donald Trump’s “Board of Peace,” a United Nations-approved body tasked with overseeing a plan for Gaza. Rowan, who previously donated $250,000 to the UDP in 2022, has been an vocal opponent of campus protests regarding the war in Gaza and recently consulted for the White House on higher education policy. The funding coincided with aggressive UDP spending against political candidates critical of U.S. military support for Israel, including unsuccessful campaigns by Cori Bush and Thomas Massie, as well as efforts in Michigan against candidate Abdul El-Sayed.

Consequences

Rowan’s dual role as a major donor to pro-Israel political interests and a member of the board overseeing Gaza's future has prompted concerns from advocacy groups regarding transparency and the influence of private interests on foreign policy. The continued financial support for the UDP suggests an ongoing focus on targeting candidates who advocate for reducing U.S. military aid to Israel.

Sources

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